Admiral's Death

February 9, 1986

SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN — The Basque separatist organization ETA claimed responsibility Saturday for the slaying of Rear Adm. Cristobal Colon de Carvajal. Two gunmen attacked the car of the 61-year-old admiral, a direct descendant of Christopher Columbus, in Madrid Thursday. ETA, which means Basque Homeland and Liberty, said its purpose was ''to strike at the heart of Spanish militarism and fascism.'' The organization wants independence for the three Basque provinces in northern Spain.